The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-04
4 DISAPPOINTMENT ADVISED
Washington-Street Property OWNERSHIP
pose Laying the New PavementNoW.
They Suggest to the Council Several Reasons
Why the Work Should Not Be Done
Before Next Spring.

A number of the Washington-street property
owners assembled in the Council chamber last
night to consider the improvement question.
Samuel Delzell called to the chair and w.
FL. Smythe acted as secretary The business OF
the meeting was introduced by resolution IN
favor of letting the contract without further ad-
vertisement, if rates as low as the Fulmer, Sell
bert 81 Cooper bid could be obtained, but IL not
that the matter should be postponed until
spring and new advertisement be made.
The discussion appeared favorable to
this proposition until John Judah arrived
and made a strong argument against it. He said
that there urgent call for haste in the
matter, and there were several reasons for delay.
It was practically assured that natural gas would
be brought to the city and piped along Wash
ingtou street, but one could say how soon.
If the Improvement were made before the
was brought in it would have to be torn up both
for the main pipe and the connections. Property
holders might be required to make gas, sewer,
and water connections now, but there was no way
of providing for the natural gas. The idea that
the natural gas would be piped through the alleys
was erroneous, because there were two squares
on the avenues in which there We're no alleys.
Also. when the natural gas comes into use there
will be large increase of sewer and water con-
nections because there would be an increase of
housekeeping in blocks In addition to this,
Marion county has no funds to pay Its assess
ment; neither has the State of Indiana. These
facts, together with the refusal of the street
railway company to pay it's portion of the
assessment, had probably caused both bids to be
made higher than they otherwise would have
been. It would be better to have test case
made to decide the liability of the street-railway
company, and to postpone definite action at least
unit: next spring.
Several persons expressed their agreement
with this proposal, the matter of natural gas
appearing to have been overlooked heretofore
County Commissioner Sahm was called for, and
eaid that the commissioners had consented to
the improvement on an understanding that 1t
would not cost more than $l2 per foot Ihey
surprised at learning that the contract was
let $18 per foot, and were opposed to any in
crease He was IN favor of postponing until
spring
Mr. Judah then introduced the following reso-
luton:
Resolved That whereas, the natural-gas questi n
cannot ow lie settled; and whereas it is considered
certain that we will have natural hut that it vii
not be put d. wn Was ington street for several
months, and squares only be put in from
Vast lgton street; and whereas the Improvement
that vi follow the Introduction of natural viii
involve the introduce of into buildings aId
the making of connections with the Washing
tonstreet all OF which will inn eratvely require
the tearing and destrrc ion of any that
might be laid before such gas, water and sewerage
are provided foI; and whereas, We believe that the
fact that neher the State of Indiana nor the county
has y FUNDS with which to pay Their assessments
and the add oaa fact that the refusal of the street.
railway IN pany to bear it's share must necessarily
make the present bad and expensive time for the
letting of any such contract. therefore esty in
sist Il a. no &C tract ought TO let for III
ment Washington str eet until mex snrng. and
til tine be allowed to fully for the preser
vatis of any paveme 1t that may be made.
Z he resolution was unanimously adopted.
Councilman Frank Dell asked that those who
favored it should sign their names and note
the number of front feet they owned. He asked
this on behalf of the Council committee because
they had before them petitions to go on at the
advanced price with more signers than there
were persons present On being asked for his
individual views. he said that the present or
dinance passed a compromise measure.
One clique in the Council wanted the Ray-street
sewer another wanted the Washington-street
improvements; and they consolidated both.
He didn't believe that another ordinance could
be passed. 1t was then agreed that the resolu-
ton adopted should be circulated for signatures
on Monday and after those who were present
had signed il. the meeting adjourned.